Aerodynamic pattern for a golf ball

Abstract

A dimple pattern for a golf ball with multiple sets of dimples is disclosed herein. Each of the multiple sets of dimples has a different entry angle. A preferred set of dimples is eighteen different dimples. The dimples may cover as much as eighty-seven percent of the surface of the golf ball. The unique dimple pattern allows a golf ball to have shallow dimples with steeper entry angles. In a preferred embodiment, the golf ball has 382 dimples with eleven different diameters and eighteen different entry angles.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A golf ball having a surface, the golf ball comprising: a first plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the first plurality of dimples having a first diameter; a second plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the second plurality of dimples having a second diameter, the second diameter less than the first diameter; a third plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the third plurality of dimples having a third diameter, the third diameter less than the second diameter; a fourth plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the fourth plurality of dimples having a fourth diameter, the fourth diameter less than the third diameter, wherein the fourth plurality of dimples is composed of seven different sets of dimples, each type having a different entry radius; a fifth plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the fifth plurality of dimples having a fifth diameter, the fifth diameter less than the fourth diameter; a sixth plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the sixth plurality of dimples having a sixth diameter, the sixth diameter less than or equal to the fifth diameter; a seventh plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the seventh plurality of dimples having a seventh diameter, the seventh diameter less than the sixth diameter; a eighth plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the eighth plurality of dimples having a eighth diameter, the eighth diameter less than the seventh diameter; a ninth plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the ninth plurality of dimples having a ninth diameter, the ninth diameter less than the eighth diameter; a tenth plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the tenth plurality of dimples having a tenth diameter, the tenth diameter less than the ninth diameter; and an eleventh plurality of dimples disposed on the surface, each of the eleventh plurality of dimples having a eleventh diameter, the eleventh diameter less than the tenth diameter; wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh pluralities of dimples cover at least 85% of the surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
       2. The golf ball according to  claim 1  wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh pluralities of dimples total 382 dimples. 
     
     
       3. The golf ball according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh pluralities of dimples comprises at least two different sets of dimples which vary in chord depth, entry radius or entry angle while having the same diameter. 
     
     
       4. The golf ball according to  claim 1  wherein the eleventh diameter is less than 0.159 inch and the first diameter is greater than 0.168 inch. 
     
     
       5. A golf ball having a surface, the golf ball comprising: at least 382 dimples, wherein the at least 382 dimples are partitioned into at least eighteen different sets of dimples, each of the eighteen different sets of dimples having a different entry angle than any other set of dimples, and wherein the at least 382 dimples cover at least 85% of the surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
       6. A golf ball comprising: a core having a diameter of 1.40 inches to 1.56 inches; an intermediate layer disposed over the core, the intermediate layer having a thickness ranging from 0.040 inch to 0.080 inch; a cover encompassing the core, the cover having a thickness of 0.02 inch to 0.10 inch, the cover having a surface,the surface comprising at least 382 dimples, wherein the at least 382 dimples are partitioned into at least eighteen different sets of dimples, each of the eighteen different sets of dimples having a different entry angle than any other set of dimples, and wherein the at least 382 dimples cover at least 85% of the surface of the cover. 
     
     
       7. A golf ball comprising: a core; and a cover having eighteen different sets of dimples wherein the golf ball has an average lift coefficient ranging from 0.24 to 0.26, and an average drag coefficient ranging from 0.230 to 0.226; wherein the average lift coefficient is the average of the four lift coefficient values consisting of the lift coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 70,000 and 2000 rpm, the lift coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 70,000 and 3000 rpm, the lift coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 80,000 and 2000 rpm, and the lift coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 80,000 and 3000 rpm; wherein the average drag coefficient is the average of the six drag coefficient values consisting of the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 120,000 and 2000 rpm, the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 120,000 and 3000 rpm, the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 150,000 and 2000 rpm, the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 150,000 and 3000 rpm, the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 180,000 and 2000 rpm, and the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 180,000 and 3000 rpm. 
     
     
       8. A golf ball comprising: a core; and a cover composed of a thermosetting urethane material and having eighteen different sets of dimples wherein the golf ball has an average lift coefficient ranging from 0.24 to 0.26, and an average drag coefficient ranging from 0.230 to 0.226; wherein the average lift coefficient is the average of the four lift coefficient values consisting of the lift coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 70,000 and 2000 rpm, the lift coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 70,000 and 3000 rpm, the lift coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 80,000 and 2000 rpm, and the lift coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 80,000 and 3000 rpm; wherein the average drag coefficient is the average of the six drag coefficient values consisting of the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 120,000 and 2000 rpm, the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 120,000 and 3000 rpm, the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 150,000 and 2000 rpm, the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 150,000 and 3000 rpm, the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 180,000 and 2000 rpm, and the drag coefficient of the golf ball at a Reynolds number of 180,000 and 3000 rpm.